Method for arranging virtual circuits in an atm (asynchronous transfer mode) switching system

For the route search in a multi-level ATM switching network, the free transmission capacities of ATM intermediate lines are stored individually by means of an allocation memory. To set up new virtual connections, a required transmission capacity is reported. According to their specification, route selection takes place only via ATM links with currently sufficient free transmission capacity. To store the free transmission capacity bitrate classes are formed. These also include the required transmission capacities. In each bitrate class provided memory elements of the allocation memory are for each one ATM-intermediate line group, which is connected on the output side and / or input side to an ATM coupling element, inter-line storage locations binary marked, if in each case transmission capacity according to the allocated bitrate class is still freely available. During the route search, the coincidence is checked with regard to the binary identification given for the respective bit rate class.